In 1936, Congress designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother’s Day. The observance continues today but includes the entire family, now officially designated as Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day by proclamation of President Barack Obama in 2011 to honor parents and families of service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in defense of their country. The 2025 observance is this Sunday, September 28.

For obvious reasons, the Gold Star is the military award that no one wants. Gold Star mothers, fathers, and siblings suffer a loss unimaginable to those who will never experience it. To them, every day is Memorial Day.

After World War II, recognizing the tremendous losses felt by hundreds of thousands of mothers, Congress designated the Gold Star Lapel Pin featuring a gold star with a purple background surrounded by laurel leaves. Under strict Department of Defense guidelines, the U.S. military must present the lapel pin to the immediate family member of the deceased.

This year, the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is hosting “Gold Star Mothers Weekend” in and around Washington, DC. BVA shares the stage with the Gold Star Mothers at Memorial Day and Veterans Day wreath laying ceremonies and at VA Veterans Day National Committee meetings.

Activities during Gold Star Mothers Weekend include an open house at the organization’s national headquarters on Friday evening, a service project and banquet at the Military Women’s Memorial (a building located inside Arlington National Cemetery) on Saturday, and a wreath laying and commemoration service at the Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Sunday. Learn more about Gold Star Weekend and its activities for families of the fallen.